A Dowry of Blood - by S T Gibson (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

This sensational novel tells the darkly seductive tale of Dracula's first bride, Constanta.

This is my last love letter to you, though some would call it a confession. . .

Saved from the brink of death by a mysterious stranger, Constanta is transformed from a medieval peasant into a bride fit for an undying king. But when Dracula draws a cunning aristocrat and a starving artist into his web of passion and deceit, Constanta realizes that her beloved is capable of terrible things.

Finding comfort in the arms of her rival consorts, she begins to unravel their husband's dark secrets. With the lives of everyone she loves on the line, Constanta will have to choose between her own freedom and her love for her husband. But bonds forged by blood can only be broken by death.

"A dizzying nightmare of a romance that will leave you aching, angry and ultimately hopeful." --Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of For the Wolf

Review Quotes

"In the tradition of the best vampire stories, Gibson uses her characters to explore how centuries of time would affect a once-mortal mind. A Dowry of Blood whisks readers through human history, arriving at the dawn of the 20th century, drenched in blood."--BookPage

"A lyrical Gothic ode to queerness, polyamory, and violence. Its complex depiction of abuse and survival is both thorny and moving, and like nothing else you'll read this fall."--Paste Magazine

"Gibson's lush prose will transport readers to a sumptuous and provocative world that is openly queer and unabashedly sexual."--Booklist

"Perfect for readers interested in creative, gritty, and steamy horror retellings."--Library Journal

"Dark, lush and heartrendingly romantic."

--Lyndall Clipstone, author of Lakesedge

"A Dowry of Blood is an intoxicating perfume that lingers - an undying love story where beauty and horror clasp hands." --Rachel Gillig, author of One Dark Window

"A dizzying nightmare of a romance that will leave you aching, angry and ultimately hopeful."--Hannah Whitten, author of For the Wolf

"A powerful take of possession and liberation. This is a Dracula retelling unlike any other - undeniable and unforgettable."--Rose Szabo, author of What Big Teeth

"A thrilling and seductive Gothic rife with spine-tingling tension and dark romance. A Dowry of Blood left me breathless."--Alexis Henderson, author The Year of the Witching

"Atmospheric and lush. . . it will haunt you in the best possible way."--Genevieve Gornichec, author of The Witch's Heart

"A Dowry of Blood is a delectable jewel of a tale, shimmering with dark, beautiful prose. Gibson balances mournful gothic possession with heartfelt emotional authenticity for a thrilling ride from start to finish."--Tori Bovalino, author of Not Good for Maidens

"Seductive, lyrical, and rich with period detail, this daring retelling casts the Harkers' story aside to follow Dracula's medieval bride and her tangled romance with his consorts over the centuries. The horror--pulsing and beautiful--comes as much from Constanta's insights into her husband's psychology as it does from bloodlust. A dark triumph."--Mary McMyne, author of The Book of Gothel

"Stunningly gorgeous and devastatingly romantic, you won't want to miss this one!"--Katee Robert, author of Neon Gods

About the Author

S.T. Gibson is an author, literary agent, and village wise woman in training. She currently lives in Boston with her fiance, spoiled Persian cat, and vintage blazer collection.